APOSTLE Delight Evans McDaddy
LESSON 13
John 12:31
“Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out”.
As a result of humanity’s sin and rebellion against God, the New Testament describes the world as estranged (i.e., alienated, separated) from God and seized by Satan, who now exercises a great deal of authority on the earth. 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:10-12
Who are Demons?
Demons are spirit beings that have personality and intelligence. As members of Satan’s kingdom {Matthew 12:26}, they are part of a highly organized empire of evil that has authority over “the kingdom of the air” Eph 2:2.
As agents of carrying out Satan’s purposes, demons are enemies of God and humans. Demon spirit are totally evil, filled with hate and under Satan’s authority. Matthew 4:10
In other to overcome the schemes and temptations of Satan and his demonic forces, Christians must wage continual spiritual warfare against them. Ephesians 6:12
The many accounts in the Bible make it clear that it is common for demons to dwell in the bodies of some people who do not have a personal relationship with God. Mark 5:15; Luke 4:41; Luke 8:27. The evil spirits make slaves of the individual they “Possess”. They use the possessed individuals’ voices to speak and can influence them towards evil, immorality and destruction.
Demons can cause physical diseases and illness in the human body
Matthew 9:32-33; Matthew 12:22; Matthew 17:14-18. This does not mean, however, that all sickness and diseases are the results of evil spirits. Matthew 4:24; Luke 5:12-13
Demons are the real powers behind the “gods” and “idols” of false religions. This means worshipping false gods is basically the same as worshipping demons 1 Corinthians 10:20
Those involved in spiritism {i.e., the attempt to communicate with the dead} and sorcery {i.e., the supposed use of magic} are dealing with evil spirits. Such activity can easily lead a person to coming under demonic control. Acts 13:8-10; Acts 19:19; Galatians 5:20; Revelation 9:20.
Evil spirits will especially be active in the end times, leading people to take part in occult {i.e., witchcraft and Satanism}, sexual immorality, violence, cruelty and mass deception. They will attack and attempt to discredit God’s word, steering people away from correct teachings and truth. Matthew 24:24; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15. The fullest display of demonic activity will be through the antichrist and his followers. 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:2-8
JESUS & DEMONS
The Bible tells us that demons are fallen angels who joined Satan in his rebellion against God and who were defeated and cast out of heaven along with Satan (Revelation 12:7-9). Demons continue to serve the devil in his attempt to lead the world away from God and into sin. Jesus will ultimately banish Satan and his demons into the eternal fire.
One of the most common ways that Jesus was addressed was “teacher,” and so he was. Indeed he endorsed “teacher” as a selfdesignation in John 13:13 during the Upper Room discourse: “You call me [the] Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.” From the outset of Jesus’s public ministry (Mark 1:14–15), the theme of his teaching was the kingdom of God. In teaching about the kingdom he taught an awareness of evil.
There is an enemy of God and humanity. That enemy needs to be known. For example, in the famous parable of the farmer and the seed, it is Satan who snatches away the kingdom seed before it can take root in a hearer’s life (Mark 4:15). Again, in the parable of the weeds in Matthew 13:24–30, Jesus speaks of an enemy who sows weeds among the wheat, and in his explanation in verses 36–43 Jesus identifies the enemy as “the evil one,” “the devil” (especially Matt. 13:38–39).
Although Jesus refers to Beelzebul and his minions in Matthew 10:25, he also instructs his disciples in verse 26 not to fear them. It is God who is to be feared. On one occasion Jesus described a group of the Pharisees and teachers of the law as “a wicked and adulterous generation” (Matt. 12:39 NIV). He warned that their fate could become far worse than at present.
He spoke of a man out of whom a spirit came. But the departed spirit was replaced by seven others even more wicked than itself. He compared the situation to that of a house that had been left empty only to be further occupied by worse inhabitants (Matt. 12:43–45).
Pray for Protection
Individuals also learn from Jesus that they are the objects of Satanic mischief. Peter is a case in point (Luke 22:31–32): “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded “requested,” “demanded”] to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you [sou, singular] that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
Jesus taught the awareness of evil in the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:13): “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil “the evil one”.
BELIEVERS AND DEMONS
Believers cannot be possessed by a demon while being indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16).
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
1 Corinthians 6:19
But they may still experience demonic harassment and oppression. (1 Pet. 5:8–9; 2 Cor. 12:7; Eph 6:12; Jam 4:7).
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world.
1 Peter 5:8–9
Sins can open up avenues for demonic influence, so believers should pay attention to temptation and actively resist it to avoid allowing dark forces into their lives (Eph 4:26-27, Eph 6:11-12, 1 John 5:18).
Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.
Ephesians 4:26–27
Christians must know that spiritual warfare exists. The Gospels record severe cases of bizarre and violent actions, particularly in response to the preaching of the gospel (Mark 1:23-24, 5:2-5, 9:17-18, 9:22).
False doctrinal statements are also attributed to demonic influence. Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light and send false teachers as his agents (1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 John 4:2-3).
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
2 Corinthians 11:13–15
Demonic influence may be discerned (1 Corinthians 12:10), and believers with a brief verbal command in Jesus’ name without dramatic or emotional effect can deliver someone who is demonized (Matthew 8:16).
But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had the evil spirits, saying, “I order you in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches!” Now there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, doing this. But the evil spirit responded and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know of Paul, but who are you?” Acts 19:13–15.
It cannot be emphasized enough that we must be in a right relationship with God and fully equipped to do spiritual battle by spending time in prayer and God’s word. We must have a deep understanding of God and his word, and we must be actively growing in all spiritual areas of our Christian life.
